Onikara (Chief) Christopher Idam Agha, a luminary in his own right, was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Agha Idam on 16th July 1926. His birthplace, Ezi Aghabi compound in Amangballa village, Afikpo town, situated in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, cradled his early years. The era of his upbringing was one where the first sons were traditionally expected to take up farm work. However, the untimely demise of his father during his early teens reshaped his destiny. His mother then took on the mantle of his upbringing, nurturing him through these formative years.

Despite the prevailing norms, Christopher’s zeal for education was unquenchable. This passion led him to defy the odds by enrolling in St. Mary Primary School in Afikpo, now known as Ngodo/Amachi Primary School. His academic journey there was marked by brilliance, culminating in his graduation with a first-grade certificate in 1948. This academic feat did not go unnoticed, earning him a scholarship to further his education at a higher college in Ogoja, Cross River State.